Kingston is located in southeastern Ontario at the intersection of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. It was first settled by Europeans in the 1670s as a trading post called Cataraqui. In the 1780s, Kingston became a major naval base and shipbuilding centre for the British Royal Navy on Lake Ontario.
Kingston was incorporated as a city in 1846 and designated as Ontario’s first capital from 1841 to 1844. Its strategic position on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence waterway system made it an important military, naval, and commercial hub throughout the 19th century. Industries that developed included shipbuilding, sawmills, and flour milling powered by the Cataraqui River.
By the 1850s, Kingston’s population had grown to over 10,000 residents as it served as an eastern gateway to Canada. The opening of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1856 brought more prosperity by facilitating trade and travel. Kingston remained a centre for education with Queen’s University founded in 1841. It also became known for its limestone architecture after extensive quarrying began in the 1830s.
In the early 20th century, Kingston’s economy diversified with the rise of the Canadian Locomotive Company and DuPont Canada paint factory. It also hosted major military installations like Royal Military College and HMCS Cataraqui naval reserve barracks. After WWII, newer industries like communications and healthcare emerged. Today, Kingston is home to major employers like the corrections facility at Collins Bay Institution and Hotel Dieu Hospital.
Kingston maintains a lively cultural scene. Historic sites include Fort Henry national historic site and the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arts hubs include the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts and the Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen’s University. Kingston hosts numerous annual festivals celebrating music, food and the arts.
Thousand Islands in Ontario, Canada
With a population of over 123,000, Kingston retains its small-city feel while providing urban amenities. Its waterfront, parks, and nearby Thousand Islands region make it a popular tourist destination. The city has worked to revitalize its downtown core in recent decades through projects like the Kingston Centre redevelopment.
Kingston’s blend of history, education, healthcare and proximity to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River has made tourism and recreation major industries. Popular attractions include the Royal Military College of Canada National Historic Site, Fort Henry National Historic Site, and the Rideau Canal. Annual events like the Kingston Buskers Rendezvous and Kingston Jazz Festival draw visitors.
